Thirty-two graduates from the Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme (DACP) 2014 were honoured at a special event on Friday, 28 November. The DACP, a major initiative under the Dragonair Youth Aviation Academy, is organised by Dragonair in conjunction with the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps and aims to motivate and inspire young Hong Kong people aged 18 to 25 who aspire to develop a career in aviation. The 9-month programme offers comprehensive aviation training together with a series of aviation-related activities.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Algernon Yau said: “Dragonair has a deep commitment to the development of young people in the city, and to supporting the growth of the local aviation industry in any way we can. We are pleased that our programme has helped young people in Hong Kong to explore and pursue their aviation dreams, and has supported Hong Kong’s aviation industry as a whole in its ongoing search for new talent.”

The programme has had a positive impact on aviation locally. To date, nearly half of the 145 programme alumni have embarked on a career in aviation, in jobs ranging from pilots and engineers to air traffic controllers and ground handling operators. The 32 members of this year’s DACP competed with more than 500 applicants to gain a place on the programme, going through a stringent selection process to earn the chance to participate in this invaluable learning experience.

Dragonair’s Director Operations, Captain Peter Sanderson, said: “A very important part of the programme is the ‘airline pilot mentorship’. Each participant is assigned a pilot mentor who will share their knowledge and experience for the duration of the programme. Participants go through an observation flight with their mentors and gain a detailed insight into the life of an airline pilot. I extend very special thanks to our pilot mentors for giving up their precious time to help these young men and women fulfil their dreams.”

Hogan Loh, Vice-Chairman of the Executive Board of the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, the joint organiser of the programme, said: “The airport in Hong Kong is ever-expanding, and together with the future three-runway system, local aviation organisations are going to be looking for a lot of new blood. The DACP graduates are certainly someone they are chasing after.”

One graduate, Stephen Fu, is looking forward to forging a career in aviation, and in order to pursue his dreams has already given up his job as a management trainee at a bank. Stephen said the DACP has given him an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry professionals and be inspired from different perspectives.

“This programme has deepened my aviation interest and I am now getting ready to join the industry. One of the most remarkable moments was taking part in the observation flight operated by my mentor, who has worked in the industry for 36 years, I am impressed by how he has kept his passion alive and maintained his professionalism at work. He is definitely my role model in helping me to identify my life goals.”

Enrolment for the 2015 Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme has already begun and is open until 14 December 2014. Young people who are interested to explore the exciting world of aviation should not miss out on this invaluable learning opportunity. Programme details and application procedures can be found on the programme website: www.dragonair.com/aviationacademy.

The 2014 DACP graduates presented a leather jacket to programme coordinator Captain Marcus de Santis (front row, fifth from left), to express their gratitude for his guidance during their nine months of training.

The mentors joined the graduates in performing inspirational songs such as “I Am Alive” to showcase their passion for aviation.